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Cards on the Table
alternate cover edition of ASIN B0071FNXWY
Fifty years ago a glamorous Hollywood party ended in murder -- the only clue a bloody Tarot card. Timothy North is trying to find out what happened that long ago summer's night, but when a Tarot card turns up pinned to his front door, the only person Tim can turn to for help is his ex-lover, Detective Jack Brady.
Originally published in the "Partners in Crime" anthology.
Fifty years ago a glamorous Hollywood party ended in murder -- the only clue a bloody Tarot card. Timothy North is trying to find out what happened that long ago summer's night, but when a Tarot card turns up pinned to his front door, the only person Tim can turn to for help is his ex-lover, Detective Jack Brady.
Originally published in the "Partners in Crime" anthology.
95 pages, ebook
First published October 13, 2007
24 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Josh Lanyon
186 books5,372 followersAuthor of 100+ titles of Gay Mystery and M/M Romance, Josh Lanyon has built her literary legacy on twisty mystery, kickass adventure, and unapologetic man-on-man romance.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
October 23, 2022
Solid mystery. The romance felt rushed, mostly because of Jack's character. I did like Tim a lot and I enjoyed the writing.
November 2, 2015
I love the mystery. I love the classic Hollywood movie stars, the astrologist and the gangsters. I liked Sean Crisden's narration. But the romance, man, the romance.
It depresses the ever living fuck out of me.
Jack the Cop (who I like despite wanting to yell at him that "what? Like you're so perfect? Like you have it all together?") has some really good reasons for not (at first) wanting to continue dating Tim the Writer (who, yes, could make a few changes), but his reasons just hit way too close to home. And the Christmas coda, people, jesus christ, that just made it worse. Usually, they give a sweet little glimpse into whatever couple's relationship. And yeah, sometimes those glimpses involve someone being an asshole or a misunderstanding. But this one involved the words "I can’t deal with this anymore."
So, yeah, if I were someone else I'd be giving it a 4 (since it's a classic, enjoyable Lanyon), but I'm moi. And moi says it's THREE STARS FOR YOU, MOTHERFUCKER*.
*"Motherfucker" refers to the book and not Josh Lanyon. Still love! Still love the Lanyon!
March 16, 2015
Written March 16, 2015
3.2 Stars - A solid Lanyon crime with an old glamorous Hollywood touch
I needed something short in between to listening to yesterday. This 3 hours Josh Lanyon crime narrated by Sean Crisden felt like an excellent choice.
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Book-blurb and characters:
~ ‘Fifty years ago, a glamorous Hollywood party ended in murder - the only clue a bloody Tarot card. Timothy North is trying to find out what happened that long ago summer's night, but when a Tarot card turns up pinned to his front door, the only person Tim can turn to for help is his ex-lover, Detective Jack Brady.’’ ~
I must correct that the Jack character is more of a neighbor and a lost friend after 'one-night-mistake’. The attraction is there though, at least from Tim's side.
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This was surely a good "whodunit" novella...but not great. I don't know, maybe I wanted a bit more here —I'm spoiled with great Josh Lanyon stories— and this felt okay but no more.
Card On The Table is pretty sweet and well done, but I'm sorry to say, already a day later has it more or less slipped my mind. I really liked the Los Angeles and Hollywood feeling though. Both nowadays and in the still glamorous and glittering 50:s. The cute romance story was nice as well. A traditional "Lanyon couple".
I LIKE - a "good enough" 3 hrs listening a Sunday afternoon
3.2 Stars - A solid Lanyon crime with an old glamorous Hollywood touch
I needed something short in between to listening to yesterday. This 3 hours Josh Lanyon crime narrated by Sean Crisden felt like an excellent choice.
***********************************************************
Book-blurb and characters:
~ ‘Fifty years ago, a glamorous Hollywood party ended in murder - the only clue a bloody Tarot card. Timothy North is trying to find out what happened that long ago summer's night, but when a Tarot card turns up pinned to his front door, the only person Tim can turn to for help is his ex-lover, Detective Jack Brady.’’ ~
I must correct that the Jack character is more of a neighbor and a lost friend after 'one-night-mistake’. The attraction is there though, at least from Tim's side.
***********************************************************
This was surely a good "whodunit" novella...but not great. I don't know, maybe I wanted a bit more here —I'm spoiled with great Josh Lanyon stories— and this felt okay but no more.
Card On The Table is pretty sweet and well done, but I'm sorry to say, already a day later has it more or less slipped my mind. I really liked the Los Angeles and Hollywood feeling though. Both nowadays and in the still glamorous and glittering 50:s. The cute romance story was nice as well. A traditional "Lanyon couple".
I LIKE - a "good enough" 3 hrs listening a Sunday afternoon
March 31, 2025
I can imagine myself becoming a bit of a Josh Lanyon fan if my experiences with her works continue in the vein that they have started (although that back catalogue is intimidating as HELL). Her books seem to have just the right balance of plot and romance that works for me (at heart I'm a romantic sub plot girlie).
This story follows journalist, turned author, Tim McShay, in his efforts to write his book trying to solve the 50 year old cold case murder of Hollywood Starlette Eva Aldrich. Over the course of his investigation he turns to Detective Jack Brady, his neighbour and the man he dated briefly months prior, before Jack pulled the pin on any potential they might have had together. Tim is still very much carrying a torch for Jack though, and it seems like Jack still feels their chemistry too.
I couldnt escape imagining that this drew some inspiration from The Black Dahlia and it made is so easy to slip into the vibe of the case and the world Lanyon built here. This wasn't a complicated mystery, but given its 115 pages I wouldn't expect it to be but I found it very satisfying and didn't guess the ending until I was right there with Tim.
Another 4.5 stars rounded down for Lanyon ❤️
This story follows journalist, turned author, Tim McShay, in his efforts to write his book trying to solve the 50 year old cold case murder of Hollywood Starlette Eva Aldrich. Over the course of his investigation he turns to Detective Jack Brady, his neighbour and the man he dated briefly months prior, before Jack pulled the pin on any potential they might have had together. Tim is still very much carrying a torch for Jack though, and it seems like Jack still feels their chemistry too.
I couldnt escape imagining that this drew some inspiration from The Black Dahlia and it made is so easy to slip into the vibe of the case and the world Lanyon built here. This wasn't a complicated mystery, but given its 115 pages I wouldn't expect it to be but I found it very satisfying and didn't guess the ending until I was right there with Tim.
Another 4.5 stars rounded down for Lanyon ❤️
January 28, 2023
It’s no secret that I love Josh Lanyon’s work. But her older books do a hell of a job reminding me why I fell in love with her in the first place.
Cards on The Table follows the story of Timothy North, former journalist and author who is working on a book covering the tragically short life and unsolved brutal death of old Hollywood princess Eva Aldrich (unrelated but ). Aldrich died at 24 having being stabbed multiple times and with a Tarot card left on her body.
Inasmuch as Aldrich died 50 years prior, there seems to be a conspiracy afoot as Timmy tries to research what happened to her. Even worse, the last person to try and investigate her death met a tragic end as well. So far, the odds of the amateur sleuths investigating Aldrich’s death surviving were zero. It also didn’t help that the only police officer Timmy could reach out to was former one night stand Jack and – more awkwardly – neighbour who seems to want little to do with Timmy.
This is one of my favourite Lanyon stand alones. But that is almost worthless at this point as I do adore Lanyon’s worst work *cough* Slay Ride *cough*. Although what stood out to me, other than the appeal of Old Hollywood, was Timmy’s personality. He dabbles in that angsty denial that makes this book just that much more delicious and is a wound up ball of sarcasm that gets loosened by butt rubs.
I mean look at how he describes the son of one his suspects for Eva’s murder.
The thing about Lanyon’s stories too is how the murder victim is also someone you’re forced to care about. Her prose just sucks you into a vortex of curiosity. That minimalist poetry sprinkled through dialogue, monologues is just the best spice for every mystery. Eva is described by an old friend as someone who was rather young, and so I must care because *points frantically*
This is just the pick-me-up I needed. Highly recommended for all fans of mysteries with mild angst slow burn romance side plots. Find more of my work here: Blog
Cards on The Table follows the story of Timothy North, former journalist and author who is working on a book covering the tragically short life and unsolved brutal death of old Hollywood princess Eva Aldrich (unrelated but ). Aldrich died at 24 having being stabbed multiple times and with a Tarot card left on her body.
Inasmuch as Aldrich died 50 years prior, there seems to be a conspiracy afoot as Timmy tries to research what happened to her. Even worse, the last person to try and investigate her death met a tragic end as well. So far, the odds of the amateur sleuths investigating Aldrich’s death surviving were zero. It also didn’t help that the only police officer Timmy could reach out to was former one night stand Jack and – more awkwardly – neighbour who seems to want little to do with Timmy.
This is one of my favourite Lanyon stand alones. But that is almost worthless at this point as I do adore Lanyon’s worst work *cough* Slay Ride *cough*. Although what stood out to me, other than the appeal of Old Hollywood, was Timmy’s personality. He dabbles in that angsty denial that makes this book just that much more delicious and is a wound up ball of sarcasm that gets loosened by butt rubs.
I mean look at how he describes the son of one his suspects for Eva’s murder.
He was in his late forties, slim and gray and tired-looking… he had none of Tony’s ugly heaviness— or raw power. In fact, he looked like any worn-out corporate executive after a long, hard day of mismanaging employee retirement funds. Tony the Cock’s son, Frankie the Weenie.
The thing about Lanyon’s stories too is how the murder victim is also someone you’re forced to care about. Her prose just sucks you into a vortex of curiosity. That minimalist poetry sprinkled through dialogue, monologues is just the best spice for every mystery. Eva is described by an old friend as someone who was rather young, and so I must care because *points frantically*
"She was very young. We all were. We just didn’t know it, you see? The young never recognize how truly inexperienced they are. Eva was not a great actress. She was not an intellectual giant. But she was funny. Very charming. And so incredibly lovely. It was simply a pleasure to look at her, listen to her. I laughed with Eva like I laughed with no one before or since… No doubt the cocktails had something to do with it."
This is just the pick-me-up I needed. Highly recommended for all fans of mysteries with mild angst slow burn romance side plots. Find more of my work here: Blog
August 7, 2019
Ah, Lanyon love! It feels so right and wonderful to be back in the arms of a Josh Lanyon mystery layered with humor, tenderness, and love. The man can fill a story with just the right amount of twists & turns, jabs, wit, heat and tension to send my heart a’skipping, grinning, and sighing! Cards On The Table has everything I love in an old school, cold case mystery. The dead body, quirky suspect list, library research, mob connections, dangers and dimples! Oh, don’t forget the handsome police detective with a heart of gold! :D
Tim North is an ex-reporter tucked away in his Glendale apartment complex researching and investigating his first book on an old Hollywood unsolved murder of a beautiful starlet. A case that reaches back through time to long lost secrets surrounded by parties, gossip and glamour. Tim’s digging into the past soon stirs up new heat and danger though, so he turns to Detective Jack Brady, an ex-lover in the building for help. But Tim is hiding a few secrets of his own along with a heart filled pain and hesitations. Together maybe they can piece together the facts, uncover the truth, and mend a broken heart or two. Can Tim finally put his cards on the table in life and love in time to get his man and the murderer?
Mr. Lanyon is a master of weaving a mystery into a love story or is it a love story mixed into a mystery? Haha…Either way it works for me! The suspense and tension of an unsolved crime beats in time with the *thump, thump, thump* of the will they or won’t they open up, trust, and fall in love. Two powerful mysteries that feed off each other perfectly. Jack and Tim are two Lanyon men to take to heart, treasure, and “awww” all over. Add one handsome, stoic, heroic, police officer with dimples that pop out every time you try to get mad at him with a “cute-as-hell” smart ass trying so hard not to show his heartbreaking vulnerability---well…you get one hell of a sexy combination and a full on squeeze to your heart! No one can sneak up and steal my heart quieter than Josh Lanyon. I never see it coming. Not until the tears hit my cheek!
I highly recommend this quick, mini mystery. The pages will tug on your heart strings and bring all your senses out to play. That cozy, full of life apartment complex was so clear to me. Hell—I lived in a very similar place for awhile. His description of the laundry room was dead-on: ”a laundry room that any Hollywood scout would immediately peg for a horror movie location”. Blown light bulbs and all! Fear and laundry…haha…brings back so many memories. :D Anywho…
From the smoggy air on my skin to the soothing murmurs of the water—I can still see and feel it all. My favorite was the snap of linen and the cool top sheet fluttering down. *sigh*. I adore a Lanyon world with all its character, sounds, places, and emotions.
A warm, wonderful read filled with mystery and love that you will not want to leave. Hope you bring Josh Lanyon into your reading world soon. Very soon!
So many moments to love here, but Tim’s banter with Mr. Clean is my favorite:
July 18, 2012
Josh Lanyon can write the same plot with similar characters (different names) for the rest of his/her career and I'll continue to buy, read, and love each and every story. And it's because of the way the words flow together, like these:
"...I felt surrender well up and flow through him -- the white flag spilling in my mouth."
Or "...we both moaned together in relief that sounded like harmony."
There's the funny stuff, like: "Tony the Cock's son, Frankie the Weenie", which made me snort my coffee out my nose this morning.
This particular instance has endearing characters, young and old, main and secondary. It has an interesting if predictable plot, deals very lightly but expertly with disability and homophobia. Finally, it has the most "awwww"-inducing ending I've read in a while. Perfect for my mood today. Thank you, dear author!
"...I felt surrender well up and flow through him -- the white flag spilling in my mouth."
Or "...we both moaned together in relief that sounded like harmony."
There's the funny stuff, like: "Tony the Cock's son, Frankie the Weenie", which made me snort my coffee out my nose this morning.
This particular instance has endearing characters, young and old, main and secondary. It has an interesting if predictable plot, deals very lightly but expertly with disability and homophobia. Finally, it has the most "awwww"-inducing ending I've read in a while. Perfect for my mood today. Thank you, dear author!
March 27, 2025
2,5 * rounded down because I know Josh Lanyon can do much, much better!
Underwhelming in every sense. The murder mystery that happened fifty years ago was good enough (though the perpetrator was quite easy to guess in this case, and I'm no Sherlock), but not good enough to carry the whole story, I'm afraid.
Because the characters and the romance were way worse. Bland and uninteresting, with one of them outright unlikable. This second-chance romance didn't work for me because I saw no reason to root for them. Even the first time they were getting together in the past, it was a couple of dates and one drunk night - and Tim's recollection of it was at times very contradicting. First, he told us they spent the whole night together while Jack held him after his seizure, and some pages later, he claims Jack hadn't shown much interest in lingering after the hookup. So which is it, good sir?
It's not a bad book per se, but I'll be honest - if it were any longer, I would've DNFed without regrets.
And Jack, the love interest... damn. I had a hard time with him. In such a short novella, he's too much of a judgmental asshole - his character does have depth, but that would've been better explored in a full-length novel. Here, I was curling my upper lip in distaste. I can get past him thinking "You didn't look disabled so I thought you were just scamming the system". I can also get past him getting angry that his brand new almost-lover didn't tell him about his epilepsy - though sorry but Tim had no obligation, moral or otherwise, to tell you, honey. You can call things off, but getting pissed off? Nah.
But then him saying "Don't. I can't stand you crying." in that tone, literally after Tim's seizure, when he's feeling the most vulnerable? Sir, I don't fucking care what you can or can't stand. And I don't care if it was fear that made you act like that. That situation was about Tim and not you, you don't come first in that moment. So fuck you hard for that, and not in the way you would enjoy.
Fuuuw, I had to get that out of my system, sorry! 😅 The situation wasn't black and white of course, but still, nothing did it for me here, nothing. After the last JL hit, I'm bummed 😕
Underwhelming in every sense. The murder mystery that happened fifty years ago was good enough (though the perpetrator was quite easy to guess in this case, and I'm no Sherlock), but not good enough to carry the whole story, I'm afraid.
Because the characters and the romance were way worse. Bland and uninteresting, with one of them outright unlikable. This second-chance romance didn't work for me because I saw no reason to root for them. Even the first time they were getting together in the past, it was a couple of dates and one drunk night - and Tim's recollection of it was at times very contradicting. First, he told us they spent the whole night together while Jack held him after his seizure, and some pages later, he claims Jack hadn't shown much interest in lingering after the hookup. So which is it, good sir?
It's not a bad book per se, but I'll be honest - if it were any longer, I would've DNFed without regrets.
And Jack, the love interest... damn. I had a hard time with him. In such a short novella, he's too much of a judgmental asshole - his character does have depth, but that would've been better explored in a full-length novel. Here, I was curling my upper lip in distaste. I can get past him thinking "You didn't look disabled so I thought you were just scamming the system". I can also get past him getting angry that his brand new almost-lover didn't tell him about his epilepsy - though sorry but Tim had no obligation, moral or otherwise, to tell you, honey. You can call things off, but getting pissed off? Nah.
But then him saying "Don't. I can't stand you crying." in that tone, literally after Tim's seizure, when he's feeling the most vulnerable? Sir, I don't fucking care what you can or can't stand. And I don't care if it was fear that made you act like that. That situation was about Tim and not you, you don't come first in that moment. So fuck you hard for that, and not in the way you would enjoy.
Fuuuw, I had to get that out of my system, sorry! 😅 The situation wasn't black and white of course, but still, nothing did it for me here, nothing. After the last JL hit, I'm bummed 😕
August 1, 2022
oooh, that was one of the best Josh Lanyon books I've enjoyed in a long time - classic and just perfect!
March 25, 2024
Story: 3 stars
Audio: 3.5 stars
The plot involved a cold case of an unsolved murder of a Hollywood actress in the late 50s. Tim is investigating her mysterious death to write a book when he starts receiving threats. I liked Tim but felt like he had a death wish that despite his medical condition he repeatedly put himself in danger. I didn’t like Jack and the romance between them felt rushed. Overall, this was just an ok book; good thing that it was short.
Audio: 3.5 stars
The plot involved a cold case of an unsolved murder of a Hollywood actress in the late 50s. Tim is investigating her mysterious death to write a book when he starts receiving threats. I liked Tim but felt like he had a death wish that despite his medical condition he repeatedly put himself in danger. I didn’t like Jack and the romance between them felt rushed. Overall, this was just an ok book; good thing that it was short.
July 8, 2016
very nicely set out -both the 'love' story and the mystery part are crafted to cleanly fit this short story. Enjoyed this in one gulp.
May 24, 2014
If I could sit down to coffee with Josh Lanyon, this is what would happen: first some "OMG, I love you so much"ing, possibly some tears (I'm a cryer!), some more squeeeing, and then I'd yell "Why do you hate me? You get me so into your stories and then they just...END! I need more! MUST. HAVE. MORE."...and then he'd walk out calling the police.
I loved "Cards on the Table". It reminded me a bit of "Fair Game" in that the main characters and their romance arc were kinda similar. This is a very very good thing. Tim is an author writing a book. He has, we come to find, a bit of a disability, and it adds a really interesting and powerful dynamic to his character and the relationship w/ Jack. Jack is a cop, and I want him. Just sayin'.
Tim's writing a book about a Hollywood murder 50 years prior. The mystery feels old school noir and I loved that...the old Hollywood vibe really worked...even as the present day characters were aging and still holding on to their glory days of fame. Add in a mob angle, some danger, some astrology...and this little novella packs a punch!
But, this is me here. And we all now I have to have the romance. The romance actually didn't fail in this book. I felt the angst, the hurt, the miscommunication, the longing...both from Tim and Jack. And the intimate scenes were hot and satisfying. (Oh...I do have to SHAKE MY FIST at one thing...an almost-deal-breaker for me in contemporary books: a WATERBED! Really? I mean, no judgement if you still have a waterbed (<-I'm so judging you)...but that feels really...dated...to me! Anywhooo...).
My main critique of the novella is that everything wraps itself up too quickly in the final chapter and I'm left with my mouth gaping and a scream bubbling up in my throat...NOOOOOO!!!! I want more! I need a little bit more satisfaction. I need more emotion. I need more feeelz. I need more sex. I need more Tim and Jack. Ok, the mystery's solved. Can you write an epilogue with them on vacation having sex all day every day? And throw in a few kisses and ok, yes, maybe some conversation (I really liked when the 2 of them actually talked...)...
But, this is Lanyon...and I've come to expect to be mildly blue-balled by the end of his books...but, still...*whimpers*...I want more...
June 28, 2022
Classic Lanyon: writer with a disability of some sort and the cop he can't stay away from, lol. But she really switched up the dynamics here quite a bit. Tim and Jack are quite different from Adrien and Jake. Josh has a trope and she does it well. The mystery was interesting and full of dangers, because of course it is. The romance does feel a little rushed, but it a short story. I think it would've been fine, actually, if only the final line had been left out.
But as always with her earlier works, Josh's attention to detail and ability to weave atmosphere into her books and give her MC a challenge to acclimate to is very well done here, and the writing is solid. I like Tim a lot, and it was frustrating for *me* watching him being so reckless with his health, so I sympathize with Jack on that one, lol. Jack didn't make a good first impression, but he stated his case and I liked him by the end.
But as always with her earlier works, Josh's attention to detail and ability to weave atmosphere into her books and give her MC a challenge to acclimate to is very well done here, and the writing is solid. I like Tim a lot, and it was frustrating for *me* watching him being so reckless with his health, so I sympathize with Jack on that one, lol. Jack didn't make a good first impression, but he stated his case and I liked him by the end.
June 30, 2021
A stylish tale of a reporter investigating a 50-year-old Hollywood mystery. I liked the dynamic between Jack and Tim and the slow unveiling of the answer to the murder mystery. 4 stars.
Upon rereading this: I hate to say that it took me a chapter or so until I thought "Hey, this sounds vaguely familiar. Have I read this before?" And, yup I have, and yup I liked it the second time. Liked the slowly evolving relationship between Jack and Tim - its fits and starts, and its resolution. Another 4 stars.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Upon rereading this: I hate to say that it took me a chapter or so until I thought "Hey, this sounds vaguely familiar. Have I read this before?" And, yup I have, and yup I liked it the second time. Liked the slowly evolving relationship between Jack and Tim - its fits and starts, and its resolution. Another 4 stars.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
May 28, 2014
I get lost in Lanyon's stories. The real world just goes away and its almost a shock when I resurface after finishing the story. The characters and their world feel so real, and I feel strangely let down that they aren't.
October 27, 2022
She has a serious thing for those writer-and-cop pairings, huh.
This was classic Lanyon — a solid mystery, with a less-than-perfect, but still somewhat sweet, romance in the background. Well-planned, well-written, and very enjoyable.
This was classic Lanyon — a solid mystery, with a less-than-perfect, but still somewhat sweet, romance in the background. Well-planned, well-written, and very enjoyable.
December 10, 2018
Josh Lanyon writes the best couples, I just wish she would develop their HEA more. Snif.
December 18, 2012
I've read this twice so far, I have the anthology version but assume not much has changed.
Reading third time 12-17-12 still just the antho. But obviously I love it if I'm rereading for a third time.
After third read still awesome.
Reading third time 12-17-12 still just the antho. But obviously I love it if I'm rereading for a third time.
After third read still awesome.
July 30, 2022
This is a short novella and should be rated less than 4 stars but I liked it better than most of the other novellas by JL.
January 27, 2023
Perfection!
April 12, 2017
AudibleJake/Timothy reminded me of Jack/Adrien.
Detective Jake Brady and Timothy North, a former journalist with health problems, who writes his debut novel about an unsolved murder case of fifty years ago. It looks like after so many years, there are still people alive who don't have any interest that the truth comes to light.
I enjoyed this short novel a lot. I found mystery as well as a romance part very entertaining.
Read as a part of Male/Male Mystery and Suspense Box Set: 6 Novellas.
April 5, 2025
" I felt surrender well up and flow through him-the white flag spilling into my mouth."
Okay, so I can say that I have never read those words to describe a male orgasm before. Points for originality I guess.
There are some good elements here including realistic characters, and disability rep but all in all I don't think this author is for me. The characters are so real that they are kind of non fictional. There is not enough of the nonsense intensity that I look for when reading romance to escape.
Okay, so I can say that I have never read those words to describe a male orgasm before. Points for originality I guess.
There are some good elements here including realistic characters, and disability rep but all in all I don't think this author is for me. The characters are so real that they are kind of non fictional. There is not enough of the nonsense intensity that I look for when reading romance to escape.
February 20, 2016
Classic Josh Lanyon. You have a writer with health issues taking on a cold case from old Hollywood. You have a cop neighbor. You have that uncertain tension between them. Never seen that before! Throw in a few colorful characters to murk up the waters and a tidy ending and case closed. One thing I personally like about these little books is how Lanyon nails certain aspects of LA. The old apartments with the pool in the middle and the laundry room out back. These buildings all had names like Quo Vadis, Pacific Breeze or The Strathmore Arms
2016 reading challenge checks the box for 14. A book you can finish in a day
2016 reading challenge checks the box for 14. A book you can finish in a day
June 8, 2018
Overall book rating: 4 (Only because it’s to short-stars)
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.5
I’m (secretly/not-so-secretly) sad about this one.
I’m sad because this was one of those that I felt. One of those who had so much potential of turning into a great little series. One of those where the type of characters really just worked for me.
A thing I’ve come to like about Josh Lanyon, is the way she likes using characters that aren’t “flawless”.
And of course it helps to pull at the heart strings when a character like Timothy reveals his newfound battle with epilepsy.
I really enjoyed this book and even the mystery part about it had a different quality or feel to it.
Why wasn’t there MORE??? Why oh why?
Because you know “sniff-sniff” I like really “sniff-sniff” fell in love with these two.
I personally think this author should do way more series than she does. Because learning to love these guys over a period of 5 to 20 books would have just been really awesome. She does it so well!
That’s all for now. Thank you for ‘ranting” with me.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.5
I’m (secretly/not-so-secretly) sad about this one.
I’m sad because this was one of those that I felt. One of those who had so much potential of turning into a great little series. One of those where the type of characters really just worked for me.
A thing I’ve come to like about Josh Lanyon, is the way she likes using characters that aren’t “flawless”.
And of course it helps to pull at the heart strings when a character like Timothy reveals his newfound battle with epilepsy.
I really enjoyed this book and even the mystery part about it had a different quality or feel to it.
Why wasn’t there MORE??? Why oh why?
Because you know “sniff-sniff” I like really “sniff-sniff” fell in love with these two.
I personally think this author should do way more series than she does. Because learning to love these guys over a period of 5 to 20 books would have just been really awesome. She does it so well!
That’s all for now. Thank you for ‘ranting” with me.
May 22, 2014
I think this is my favorite from what I have read of Lanyon so far. Ugh. Tim and Jack were amazing. I love how Lanyon makes you wait for the really good stuff until the end. Talk about literary foreplay!
I really liked the mystery in this one; the time of the unsolved murder, the Tarot cards and astrology and the whole Film Noir feel to the story, an almost Hitchcock telling as Tim researched his story and the murder... it was outstanding.
Tim and Jack though; my heart fell for them instantly. The way Jack cares for Tim and gets his message all screwed up made me want to pet his raven haired head and hug the hell out of him. And then there is Tim; so strong and so vulnerable and so very in love with Jack. Goodness. Those last few pages had my heart in a tight grip and I got exactly what I needed with these boys.
I really liked the mystery in this one; the time of the unsolved murder, the Tarot cards and astrology and the whole Film Noir feel to the story, an almost Hitchcock telling as Tim researched his story and the murder... it was outstanding.
Tim and Jack though; my heart fell for them instantly. The way Jack cares for Tim and gets his message all screwed up made me want to pet his raven haired head and hug the hell out of him. And then there is Tim; so strong and so vulnerable and so very in love with Jack. Goodness. Those last few pages had my heart in a tight grip and I got exactly what I needed with these boys.
March 24, 2013
"In my experiece, when a guy tells you he doesn't want a serious relationsip, he really means he doesn't want a serious relationship with you."
Another great mystery from Josh Lanyon---
Another great mystery from Josh Lanyon---
November 30, 2015
Great as both a mystery and a romance.
November 4, 2015
3.75 stars
Interesting mystery with a second chance romance. I liked the romance but not wowed by it.
Interesting mystery with a second chance romance. I liked the romance but not wowed by it.
December 28, 2017
4.3 Stars
Yet another insecure writer (with a serious health issue) & a reticent detective working together in some way to help solve a crime; I guess, when comes to this trope and Josh Lanyon: if it ain't broke, don't fix it! And as much as I really liked this story, I can't even be irritated by that repetition.
The romance between Tim and Jack felt very real, the issues between them quite understandable. Plus, it took me forever to figure out this whodunit, which is always a pleasure when it comes to a mystery-themed book!
Also, I love Sean Crisden - I've said it often enough when it comes to his narrations...but OMG he did such a good job with this performance. Each character, no matter how large or small a part they played in the story, had a distinctive voice...which made listening to this audio book a great pleasure.
Yet another insecure writer (with a serious health issue) & a reticent detective working together in some way to help solve a crime; I guess, when comes to this trope and Josh Lanyon: if it ain't broke, don't fix it! And as much as I really liked this story, I can't even be irritated by that repetition.
The romance between Tim and Jack felt very real, the issues between them quite understandable. Plus, it took me forever to figure out this whodunit, which is always a pleasure when it comes to a mystery-themed book!
Also, I love Sean Crisden - I've said it often enough when it comes to his narrations...but OMG he did such a good job with this performance. Each character, no matter how large or small a part they played in the story, had a distinctive voice...which made listening to this audio book a great pleasure.
June 26, 2013
While this had all the things I usually love in a Josh Lanyon story, I failed to really connect with it.
I enjoyed the murder mystery, and I enjoyed Tim and Jack, but I didn’t love this as much as his other books.
I guess I just didn’t feel the magic between Tim and his cop lol.
I enjoyed the murder mystery, and I enjoyed Tim and Jack, but I didn’t love this as much as his other books.
I guess I just didn’t feel the magic between Tim and his cop lol.
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